INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The Colts won Sunday in front of fans - and Indianapolis' 2006 Super Bowl championship team. The 2006 squad was recognized at halftime.
After that, they spoke with the press. Below is a transcript of that press conference.
Former Colts Linebacker Gary Brackett
Did you address the team last night?
“Yeah, we had an opportunity to speak to the team yesterday and talk about how special 2006 was and how much everyone meant to everyone. Special time, special team. It is great to be back and celebrating with everybody.”
Former Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning
Peyton, how does it feel to be a carpool dad?
“It is good, it is great actually. That was probably the best part, everybody had families. Jeff (Saturday) talked to the group last night as well, it is not just the players, there were a lot of families that were a part of this championship team and all the teams. It is good and like Gary (Brackett) said, it has been really special. We had a chance just now to gather up one last time because everybody is flying out right now and will be traveling tomorrow and we said let’s do it again in 10 more years. That is the plan. Last night was special, a lot of great stories going down memory lane. We really appreciate the Colts and Mr. (Jim) Irsay for flying everybody in, that is not normal. He sent every player two plane tickets, hotel rooms in downtown Indianapolis, that is not normal. Coaches, trainers, everybody was there. Hunter Smith was the MVP last night, he turned into a roast of Bill Polian. His comments were special, he said Bill couldn’t cut him so he was going to go off. Grateful to be here and grateful to be back amongst the fans again. That was really special because they were a huge part of it as well.”
Former Colts Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne
Reggie, could you guys suit up and give one scoring drive today?
“Well, they are doing alright so we don’t need to do much, so far so good. But if they need me…”
It seems like you were running up and down the sidelines like old times, could you contain yourself?
“It is what I always did. I always went to that corner and they’ve always supported me and the Colts and I just wanted to give it to them. They are special. That is what makes it special, that is what you miss. We played games and did all that stuff, but the fans and the support that they have always given us, that is what makes this even more special.”
Have you guys ever been a part of a game like that AFC Championship game against the Patriots and what jumps out from that night?
Reggie Wayne:
“For me it was when the ball went up in the air.”
Peyton Manning:
“Slow motion. There were five Patriots right around Reggie (Wayne) and it just came right down to Reggie.”
Reggie Wayne:
“I’m glad I got it because I would’ve been in Eagle Creek floating somewhere.”
Peyton Manning:
“We talked about it a lot last night. It is always tougher to have a first half like that when you are not playing well and you are down. It is tougher to be at home, you would rather be on the road because they are booing you to start the game on the road and they are booing you throughout the whole game. Fans weren’t happy, we weren’t happy out of that first half, but I remember Tony Dungy at halftime, he outlined it. He said it was a big field goal right before the half. The pass interference on you (Reggie Wayne) should’ve been a touchdown but we got over that. He said we were going to go down and score and go for two (points). He just kind of outlined it and we went out and did it and it was the best.”
Peyton, you bent your fingernail back in that game. Was there ever a moment where you thought you were not going to finish the game?
“Well, I ended up having to treat it throughout the Super Bowl so I did have some pain and some irritation there. I just didn’t want to go out there if I couldn’t throw and just throw a bunch of incompletions and what not, but luckily I got where I could at least, the ball had always been wobbly when I throw but it was a little more wobbly after this bad finger.”
Former Colts Center Jeff Saturday
“That dude was not coming out for a fingernail, you know what I mean? For real, he isn’t coming out.”
Peyton Manning:
“Yeah, came back, hit Reggie (Wayne), hit (Bryan) Fletcher on a couple big plays.”
Gary Brackett:
“Jeff (Saturday) had a big touchdown.”
Peyton Manning:
“Jeff (Saturday) talked about, we had this conversation in the huddle about what to do. Marvin (Harrison) was the one that suggested we ought to run the ball which everyone was like, ‘Did Marvin Harrison really say that we don’t want to throw it we want to run the ball instead?’ It was a perfect call because New England was thinking pass and everybody had a great block, Jeff had a great block, and Jo(seph) Addai went in.”
Jeff Saturday:
“We talked about, just from a team perspective, when everybody had an opportunity, everybody had met the goal they put in front of themselves and how rare that is for a team whenever it happens. It took all 53 guys. It was that type of day and that type of season. Whether it be (Bryan) Fletcher, you know, the ball popping up, defense making a stop. I mean, every guy, when the moment was at its largest, they met the expectations. That’s the defining fact of that football team and what made it so special.”
Reggie Wayne:
“Yeah, like they said, that team, nobody cared about any personal accolades. We just wanted to find a way to win and guys just relied on each other. Brother in arms, find a way to get it done, refuse to lose, that’s what I always say about that season, about that team. We’re family man, we love each other, we’re family.”
Peyton Manning:
Peyton, when you’re in the moment, you’re living in the moment and not really appreciating it as much as maybe some years added to it. Like Jim Irsay said, “Nobody will ever take it away from you.” Does that make you appreciate it even more?
“No doubt, it’s a great saying. They can never take it away, it’s permanent. It’s a bond unlike any other, this particular group. Last night couldn’t have been more special. Coach (Tony) Dungy was here and he obviously had to do his NBC requirements today, but he was here and he spoke and Bill (Polian) spoke so we really did kind of have the band back together and hopefully do it in another 10 years. I think (Dwight) Freeney and (Robert) Mathis will be retired by then. (Adam) Vinatieri will still be playing. Hopefully we’ll get Tom Moore and Jim Caldwell and Clyde Christensen and kind of get some of the guys who couldn’t make it, Bob Sanders. It was really special, can’t use that word enough for last night.”
Peyton, have you decided what the hell you are going to do with yourself?
“I am kind of taking the fall to breathe and take a little pause and kind of enjoy being a football fan. I enjoyed watching the game and pull hard for the Giants obviously, enjoy watching Eli (Manning) play. I have been back to a number of Tennessee games so shockingly football has been a big part of my fall. I have been able to do some things that I haven’t been able to do in 25 years in the fall so I think that is the best thing that I did. Tony Dungy gave me some good advice, he said, don’t sign up for something right away, take a little time, take a little pause. Jeff (Saturday) and I have talked about it, Reggie (Wayne) and I have talked about it so I am really kind of enjoying it. People don’t believe me, they say do you miss it, I mean I miss more than anything, the guys, you miss the guys and being around them every day, but I really don’t miss being on the field because I kind of left it all out there. I did it for a long time but the relationships are the greatest part of my 18 years of playing pro ball. There is not a game or a throw that was the greatest part for me, it was the relationships and fortunately those are never taken away, those are permanent so I feel very fortunate.”
To get back together with that same group of 53 men and to go out of that tunnel one last time, what did that mean to each and every one of you?
Jeff Saturday:
“It was incredible. Like I said, walking out there and hearing the fans and everyone standing back up and getting excited. The Reggie chant started away as we were walking out and that brings back those memories of Sunday afternoons and getting ready to go and as you are walking out and watching the guys who are playing right now and realizing how fortunate you were to be around these men and these relationships. Like Peyton (Manning) just said, it is rare man. Iit is a rare thing and to be able as fortunate as we were with a nucleus of guys that we were with for as long as we were with and together and to be able to celebrate this one, it doesn’t get better.”
Reggie Wayne:
“One thing walking out that tunnel you realize it is 53 guys that still think they can play. So that is what made it even more sweet, we felt like we could lace them out and go play.”
Gary Brackett:
“52 (guys), because I am out. It is definitely special, definitely sweet like Peyton (Manning) said, hopefully we can do it in 10 more years.”
Peyton, if I may, you look better in blue and white.
Peyton Manning:
“Thanks, it is has been awhile since I have put this one on.”
Jeff Saturday:
“I will sign it for you.”
